The Shires are leaning into warmth, reflection and togetherness with their new single ‘a good life', the final preview of their upcoming sixth studio album ‘Bonfire,' set for release on July 3.
The track arrives as a gentle yet powerful statement from Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, a stripped-back, strings-led ballad that places emotion front and centre. Built around intimate imagery and a slow-burning melody, ‘a good life' captures the quiet moments that define a life well lived, from barefoot dances in the kitchen to the simple comfort of being close to the people who matter most.
Written by Earle alongside Kaity Rae and Beth McCarthy, and produced by Earle himself, the song carries a clear message: that happiness isn’t measured in material success, but in love, connection and shared experience. It’s a sentiment that feels perfectly in step with the themes of ‘Bonfire,' the duo’s first album in four years and a project rooted in positivity, escapism and human connection.
The release follows the success of lead single ‘Getaway Car,' which made history earlier this year by becoming the first track by British artists to top the Official UK Country Radio Airplay Chart: another milestone for a duo who have consistently broken new ground for UK country music.
Since their emergence in 2015, The Shires have been at the forefront of the genre’s rise in the UK. From becoming the first British country act to land a UK Top 10 album with ‘Brave,' to delivering the fastest-selling UK country album of all time with ‘My Universe' and picking up a prestigious CMA Award, Ben and Crissie have played a defining role in shaping the modern UK country landscape.
Now, with ‘Bonfire' on the horizon, they’re preparing to take that new music to the stage across a packed run of summer festivals and a major UK headline tour later this year.
Their summer appearances include:
- June 27 – BST Hyde Park, London
- July 26 – Melbourne Hall, Derby
- August 28 – The Long Road Festival, Leicestershire
Before returning in November for a full-band UK tour, with dates including:
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Nov 3)
- Gateshead Glasshouse (Nov 5)
- York Barbican (Nov 6)
- Manchester Bridgewater Hall (Nov 8)
- Birmingham Symphony Hall (Nov 9)
- London Palladium (Nov 11)
- Brighton Dome (Nov 12)
- Ipswich Regent Theatre (Nov 14)
- Poole Lighthouse (Nov 15)
- Swansea Building Society Arena (Nov 16)
- Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Nov 18)
- Bedford Corn Exchange (Nov 19)
- Bristol Beacon (Nov 20)
With ‘a good life,' The Shires offer a reminder of what’s truly important and as they head into a new album cycle and a run of major live dates, it’s clear they’re entering this next chapter with both perspective and purpose firmly intact.
